Trip lever structure



Dec. 22, 1964 A. J. VAN NOORD 3,162,060

TRIP LEVER STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 16. 1960 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,1629% Patented Dec. 22, 1964 The present invention relates to a trip lever structure and more particularly to a spring clip, over-center type trip mechanism wherein the assembly of the device is made simple and relatively trouble free and wherein the prior art coil springs and attendant retainer means are wholly eliminated. Thus the present invention involves a novel combination of spring bias and retention functions as applied to trip lever structures.

Trip levers have a wide variety of uses as actuators and the commonest example of use is in remote mechanical valve actuation as in bathtubs, sinks, and other plumbing drains. Such trip levers must be amenable to connection to actuating rods or assemblies, must have a fairly wide amplitude of movement and must be sufficiently simple to be economical. Another requisite is that the trip lever be so created as to admit of a wide range of escutcheon ornamentation. The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a trip lever structure having or combining the above attributes in a novel and inventive manner.

Another object is to provide a unique self-locating spring clip in combination with a lever which includes handle and journal means and wherein the assembly of lever and spring clip is easily accomplished by simple orientation and depression of the clip.

Another object is to provide a structure wherein the lever and flange plate are amenable to casting or die casting with substantial avoidance of supplemental machining while assuring long operting life and trouble-tree performance.

General Description In general the present invention comprises a trip assembly of lever, flange plate provided with an integral fulcrum, and a fiat stock compression actuating spring clip which assembles over the lever, and with proper orientation then bears upon the fulcrum of the flange and axially against the lever. The fulcrum, at center, provides a two point tilting support against the spring clip at maximum compression of the spring. On either side of the fulcrum planal support abutrnents serve as throw stops against the planal flat of the spring clip, now under stable minimum compression at either extreme of throw. The lever is ball seated in a ball pocket in the flange plate and the ball seat arrangement fllows smooth action of the lever in its throw to center and free throw over-center. The compression build-up during the manual movement of the lever to center on the fulcrum is smooth and the balance at center is of sufficient delicacy as to assure an over-center actuation. An upset on the lever provides orienting control over the clip in compression. The length of lever may be varied to meet specific mechanical advantage situations and to suit particular installations.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a trip lever structure in accord with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1 and revealing the components as prepared for assembly.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring clip of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is. an assembly elevation view of the trip lever structure of the present inventlonand partially cut away to reveal the assembled position of lever, fulcrum, flange, and spring clip. An actuating rod is shown in phantom line secured to the working end of the lever.

Specific Description Referring to the drawing and specifically to FIGURE 1 a trip lever structure 11 in accord with the present invention is shown. The trip lever structure 11 includes a lever member 12 which is passed through a flange plate 13. The flange plate 13 is provided with an esoutcheon face 14 which may be polished, plated, or

ornamented and in which an opening 15 is defined. The opening 15' is a ball socket accommodating the ball 16 formed in the lever 12. As will be seen socket opening 15 allows smooth bearing movement of the lever 12 through its full throw and univerally provides vjournalling of the lever 12 against lateral thrust which might develope damaging shear against the flange plate 13. Through-holes 17 for fasteners (not shown) are provided through the flange plate 13.

In FIGURE 2 the structure of FIGURE 1 is exploded for clarity and the flange plate 13 is shown from the the backside to clearly indicate the planal fulcrum extensions 18 and 13' flanking the socket opening 15. The fulcrum extensions 18 and 18' are in parallel spaced apart register. Together they form a pair of parallel cam surfaces. In profile, the extensions 13 and 18 are triangular with the base portion integral with flange plate 13 and the outstanding apex forms a fulcrum or pivot better understood as to function by reference to FIGURE 4. A spring clip 1? is provided from flat spring stock in V-torm. Both legs 29 and 21 of the spring clip 19 are made to define clearance openings 22 and 23 therethrough which clearance openings 22 and 23 are in mating register with the out 'of round axial outline of the lever arm extension 24 of the lever 12 is generally elongate and coax-in as between the handle portion 25 and extension 24 through the ball portion 16. Thus the lever 12 is integrally formedwith the handle 25 and the extension 2 5 is provided with radially extending trunnions 26 intermediate the working end and the ball 16. The working end of the lever 12 is provided with an interlock lug 27 which is preferably an integral part of the lever 12 and having a transverse opening 28 therethrough, the axis of the opeing 28 being parallel to the axis through trunnions 2d. A cotter key 2? or other fastening means is provided for insertion through the lug 27 for attachment of the lever 12 to an actuating rod 30 (FIGURE 5), for example, having a clevis end.

As will be best appreciated by reference to FEGURE 3 the spring clip 19 is axially positionable over the lever arm 24. By reason of the out of round openings 22 and 23 the clip 19 is also passed over the trunnions 26. However the upper leg 2% of the clip 19 is also grooved at right angles to the out of round extensions of the opening 22. The groove 31, thus formed, provides a stabilizing cradle for the trunnions 26 when the clip 19 is rotated through 9!} degrees on the axis of the lever12.

In FIGURE 4 the ultimate assembled relationship is shown. socket opening 15 so that the ball portion 16 rests in the socket opening 15. The lever arm 24 thus extends between t-he fulcrum members 18 and 18'. Then the spring clip 19 is slipped over the lever arm 24 and the trunnions 26. The clip 19 is depressed in contact with the fulcrum abutment 18 and 18' and the lever 12 is rotated on its axis through 99 degrees in relationship to the sprin clip 19. On release of the clip 19 the upper leg 2%) on the flat spring clip 19 is biased upward to engagement with the trunnions 25. This causes the trunnions 26 to nest in the groove 31 in a pivotal and journalled The lever arm 12 has been inserted through the relation. The plane or flat characteristics of the spring clip'19 cause plane engagement with the fulcrum members 18 and 1 8' and provides a compression bias thereagainst urging said lever 12 into one or the other of its pivotal extremes of travel about the fulcrum made up of elements 18 and 18'. Since maximum compression of spring clip 19 occurs at the apex of the fulcrum members 18 and 18 easy over-center throw is assured. The constant compression against the lever 12 and the flange plate 13 as applied by the spring clip 19 in any position causes'the handle 25 to follow a substantially planal path resiliently guided by the flat bearing of the spring clip 19 against the parallel straight legs of the fulcrum members 18 and 18'.

The flange plate 13 is illustrated as a dished member having cutout portion 32 as would be the form of the plate when serving as a tub release overflow trip lever. Other forms of the flange plate 13 may be used and the trip lever of the present invention is useful in a wide variety of applications where trip levers are employed, as for example, toggle actuators, switch structures and other over-center throw mechanisms.

The lever 12 may be cast or die cast with adequate finish precision without additional machining and including integr'al trunnions 26. However, the trunnions 26 may be a transverse pin force fitted in a suitable opening.

In operation the assembly and manufacture or" the presently described structure is cheap andeasy. Servicing is very easy and a material simplification of prior structure is obvious. The spring clip has very excellent life and is disassembled for repair very easily. Space requirements are greatly minimized. 'Vibration noise as between parts is wholly eliminated by reason of constant compression and the movement of the lever in the ball socket is smooth and quiet.

Having thus described my invention, those skilled in the art will readily perceive improvementsand modifications. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be included herein limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim: 1. A trip lever structure comprising: (a) a flange plate defining a spherical lever opening therethrough; v V

(b) a pair of fulcrum members secured to. said plate in spaced apart parallel register extending on one side of said opening defined by said fiangeplate;

(c) a lever having a spherical enlargement engaging said opening, said lever extending through said opening in said plate and between said fulcrum members;

(d) abutment means on said lever; and

(e) a spring clip having a registering opening therethrough permitting said clip to be passed over said lever including said abutment means whereby rotatron of said clip engages said clip with said abutment means and said fulcrum members to prevent removal of said clip and thereby providing a bias against said fulcrum members and said lever whereby said lever and said flange plate are urged into resilient close relationship.

2. In a trip lever structure, the combination comprising: an elongate lever having a handle portion at one end and a lever arm extension at the other end and an enlarged ball portion separating said two portions of'said lever; trunnions extending from said lever arm extension; a flange plate having an openingtherethrough through which said lever is passed, said opening comprising a socket matingly receiving said ball portion; a pair of spaced apart fulcrum pieces in parallel register with each other and flanking said opening in said flange and secured thereto; and a flat spring V-shaped clip'having a registering' opening therethrcugh permitting said clip to be i passed over said trunnions on said lever arm extension and upon rotation nestably receiving said trunnions and resiliently bearing against said fulcrum pieces.

3. In a trip lever structure: an elongate actuating lever; a ball enlargement midway between the ends of said lever; trunnions extending radially from said lever; a flange plate having a socket opening provided therethrough to matingly receive said ball enlargement; and triangular fulcrum elements in spaced parallel register extending from said plate on either side of said opening through said plate; and a V-shaped flat spring clip each leg thereof having a registering clearance opening for passing said trunnions on said spring clip over said actuating lever; a groove transversely across one of the legs of said spring clip to detentably receive said radial trunnions extending from said lever, and the other leg of said clip bearing against said fulcrum elements.

4. A flange plate having a ball socket opening therethrough and having a pair of fulcrum elements projecting therefrom in spaced apart parallel register on each side of said socket opening; an elongate lever through said plate and having a ball enlargement between a handle portion and coaxial actuating extention portion thereof; trunnions radially extending from said actuating extension portion of said lever; and a V-shaped flat spring clip having trunnion and fulcrum engaging surfaces said spring clip being compressed between said trunnions and said fulcrum elements and having an opening therethrough in register over said lever and said trunnions.

5. In a trip lever structure the combination comprising: a cylindrical actuating lever arm; a spheroidal portion on the axis of said arm and intermediate the ends thereof; a pair of radial trunnion extensions from said arm; a fiange plate having a spherical mating seat portion through which said arm is passed and said spheroidal portion of said arm nesting in said mating seat portion; a pair of parallel spaced apart fulcrum elements extending rearwardly from said flange plate and secured thereto and a V-shaped fiat spring element having an opening therethrough and assembled over said arm and said trunnions and said fulcrum elements, said spring element upon rotation engaging said trunnions and applying a compression force therebetween.

6. In a trip lever structure for plumbing drains and the like, the combination comprising:

(a) a lever provided with a spherical extension intermediate the ends thereof and having projections extending radially therethrough in spaced relation to said spherical projections, said projections providing trunnions therefor;

(b) a mounting plate having a spherical seat engaging said spherical extension on said lever and through which said lever extends;

(c) a pair of cam-like fulcrum elements flanking said seat of said mounting plate and secured thereto in parallel spaced apart relation; and

(d) a V-shaped flat spring both limbs of which are pierced and one limb of which detentabiy sockets on said trunnion projections and the other limb of which bears on said fulcrum means extending from said plate whereby said fiat spring urges said lever into an overcenter position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,676,608 Hubbell July 10, 1928 1,736,849 Douglas Nov. 26, 1929 1,763,690 Edgar et al June 17, 1930 2,288,767 Young July '7, 1942 2,321,272 Becwar June 8, 1943 2,399,462 Bryant Apr. 30, 1946 

1. A TRIP LEVER STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) A FLANGE PLATE DEFINING A SPHERICAL LEVER OPENING THERETHROUGH; (B) A PAIR OF FULCRUM MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID PLATE IN SPACED APART PARALLEL REGISTER EXTENDING ON ONE SIDE OF SAID OPENING DEFINED BY SAID FLANGE PLATE; (C) A LEVER HAVING A SPHERICAL ENLARGEMENT ENGAGING SAID OPENING, SAID LEVER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SAID PLATE AND BETWEEN SAID FULCRUM MEMBERS; (D) ABUTMENT MEANS ON SAID LEVER; AND (E) A SPRING CLIP HAVING A REGISTERING OPENING THERETHROUGH PERMITTING SAID CLIP TO BE PASSED OVER SAID LEVER INCLUDING SAID ABUTMENT MEANS WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID CLIP ENGAGES SAID CLIP WITH SAID ABUTMENT 